BLiSS aT LasT!

After waking up at 3:00 am to pick Ben up at the airport at 4:45 am I ended up waiting in the arrivals at the Auckland International Airport for two hours. I knew before he left that he had been red-flagged because he had been denied a visa (due to my inability to correctly fill out paperwork). Just when I was about to give my new cute black platforms a rest Ben appeared with the best smile on his face. I had decided that after having been interrogated for two hours he would be pretty irritated that I made him come to this country but it was so wonderful to see him. We stood there and held each other for what seemed like ages but still not long enough! Unfortunately he was only given a one month visitor permit but we filled paperwork out that will hopefully get him longer.

We started out the adventure just exploring close to home. I took him to my favorite cafes and shops. Today we explored the zoo and since it was such a nice day we also went to Raglan to enjoy the beach! We had never seen black sand so it was pretty amazing! I am just so glad to have him here and hope that his paperwork goes through okay so he doesn't have to leave!

CriCKet

I attended my very first Cricket game on a cloudy Sunday afternoon which I still don't fully understand but they do serve french fries and you get to sit on the lawn so I was pretty satisfied!  For $15 I will definitely be going again!  Notice the new Jackie O's my sista got me for my B-Day!  Love em!

The only Cricket player you need to know is this guy!  Daniel Vettori!

I could really appreciate that these guys wear pink!  It's a good thing they won!

This guy was on the losing team but he was still real nice!

Enjoying our fries and watchin a little Cricket!

27....all mine!

When I woke up on January 15th I actually didn’t remember it was my Birthday until I walked past my sister’s gift that morning. I intended to go to work as if it was any other day and then take myself out to dinner and a movie that night! When I got to work that morning, almost everyone was already there, which is quite rare, I am always the first one there so I was suspicious. As I was turning on my computer I caught people coming into my office and at the very moment I turned around to see who it was I was bombarded with loud popping sounds and streamers flying at me! They had come in with champagne bottle poppers….I nearly peed my pants! Then Riëtte brought in cupcakes that she had made that morning. They were beautiful little bite sized cupcakes with white frosting and pink and pearly colored sprinkles and they spelled out Happy Birthday Dawn. I was also presented with a tiara, staph, and wings that I was informed that I would have to wear the whole day…needless to say all my patients wished me a Happy Birthday!

At lunch I was waiting to go to when all of a sudden I came out of my office to find cheese, crackers, chips, salsa, mince pies, and a quiche with candles lit in it sitting on the front desk. They had all brought a food item so we could have my Birthday lunch! They gave me a Birthday card from the clinic with an iTunes gift card!


We usually have drinks on Friday night so this night was no exception. We went out and some of my work mates at the Rototuna clinic joined us, which usually doesn’t happen. We had a few drinks with the group and I went to get another, while I waited (in my tiara in wings) a gentleman asked me what the occasion was. I informed him that it was my Birthday and he asked, bless his heart, “Oh, are you turning 21?” Riëtte and I went home to change after that and then caught a taxi back to town where we met Brett and Marianne for dinner at Gothenburg. We had a lovely dinner of tapas and dessert and we were able to convince the Robertson’s to go ‘clubbing’ with us.

I had an absolutely amazing Birthday and I feel so lucky to have such sweet and thoughtful work mates that take very good care of me!

Waihi Beach for New Year!

I survived my first holiday in New Zealand. I accompanied my boss and her partner and several of their friends to Waihi Beach (about an hour and half drive) for a week of sun, sand, and relaxation. We rented a bach (what the kiwi’s call a beach house) for the week, I was lucky enough to stay in the room with two sets of bunk beds complete with Ferrari and strawberry shortcake duvets (I know…lucky me)! We did have the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine which is pretty typical of a small town…a bit dicey! I am quickly learning that they love their fish and chips and even with my taste aversion to fried foods with enough ketchup I can eat deep fried fish!

The name of the game was relaxing so we spent most days sitting on the beach, which was only a few steps from our front door, reading, eating ice cream from the dairy on the corner, and taking naps. We had two concerts we had purchased tickets for one was the second night we were there and the other was on New Year’s Eve. Both concerts were kiwi bands; midnight youth, Jordan Luck, and The Feelers the first night, Gin Wigmore and Dave Dobbyn on New Year’s Eve. It was pretty cool ringing in a new year in another country, and a different day then my family! At midnight there was a countdown then everyone at the concert broke out into Auld Lange Syne and there were hugs….lots of hugs! It was a great trip with wonderful friends, and I actually finished a book in a week, on the downside I also gained a few pounds!